Yeosu-si Launches Comprehensive Cleanup of Long-Abandoned Ships at Gukdong Port

Published 27 Jun.2023 14:12(KST)

514 Ships Full Inspection, Concurrent Public Announcement and Legal Action

Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Jeong Gi-myeong) announced that it will carry out a comprehensive cleanup of long-term abandoned vessels and illegal deposits at Gukdong Port, the largest national fishing port in Korea.

According to the city on the 27th, Gukdong Port has been obstructed by numerous long-term abandoned vessels for several years, hindering the docking of other fishing boats, and illegal deposits along the 250m breakwater have been spoiling the scenery.

[Photo by Yeosu City]

Earlier in June, Yeosu City completed a full survey of long-term abandoned vessels and illegal deposits, identifying a total of 514 vessels, including 97 vessels estimated to be long-term docked and 87 vessels without fishing boat registration certificates, as well as about 60 illegal deposits weighing approximately 100 tons.

The city plans to cancel permits and registrations according to relevant laws for long-term abandoned vessels subject to fishing permit cancellation and fishing boat registration deletion. For vessels without registration certificates whose owners are unknown, the city will issue removal notices and proceed with self-removal and legal action.

However, since more than 50 vessels are expected to be disposed of, requiring a large budget, vessels at risk of sinking will be processed by removal notices by August, and unprocessed vessels will be handled sequentially after securing project funds in the 2024 main budget.

Additionally, illegal deposits such as nets, refrigerators, and traps on the breakwater within the port will have removal notices completed by July, with contractors selected and removal planned by the end of September this year.

However, simple long-term abandoned fishing boats are not subject to reporting and cannot be handled under current laws. The city will continue to propose amendments to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries regarding long-term mooring of fishing boats and obstruction of other boats' entry and exit.

A city official stated, "This cleanup is a measure taken due to the deterioration of Gukdong Port's function as a fishing port and the increasing inconvenience to fishermen," and added, "We ask for the active cooperation of fishermen during the disposal of vessels and other materials."